Develop Good Friendships
READ: Proverbs 27:6
CHALLENGE: Develop Good Friendships
What is the responsibility of friendship? Let’s look at Proverbs 27 and
A. FRIENDS TELL THE TRUTH
Proverbs 27:6 – Wounds from a friend can be trusted,but an enemy multiplies kisses.
1. Truth Hurts
James 5:19-20 – My brothers and sisters, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring that person back, 20 remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins.
2. Truth Comes from Love
Ephesians 4:15 – Instead, speaking the truth in love,.
Jesus said it’s the truth that sets you free. And we have to crave it in order to receive it well. You have to be open to it. You look at the great prophets and they were not here to tickle your ears. Micah 2:11 – If a liar and deceiver comes and says, ‘I will prophesy for you plenty of wine and beer,’that would be just the prophet for this people!
2 Timothy 4:2-4 – For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. 4 They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.
3. Truth Comes from Trusted Friends
B. FRIENDS ARE ADVISORS
V9 – Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, and the pleasantness of a friend.
C. FRIENDS INSPIRE YOU (V17)
V17 – As iron sharpens iron so one friend sharpens another. We make each other better.